Complete Streets Process and Case Study: Taft / McMillian Two-Way Street Conversion Cincinnati, Ohio Traffic Engineering Workshop June 4, 2014
Complete Streets Streets that enable safe access for users of all ages, abilities and modes: pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and operators of motor vehicles Not every street can be complete for all users, but the network of streets should create a complete system of transportation for all users
Complete Streets Goals Provide safer and more transportation choices Support economic development and quality of life Better integrate land use and transportation
Thoroughfare System Functional Classification or Hierarchy Expressway/Freeway Principal Arterial Minor Arterial Collector Local
Thoroughfare System Community Character or Context Residential Commercial Industrial Green (Parks / Recreation / Wooded) Institutional / Campus Main Street (NBD / CBD)
Design Criteria Thoroughfare Design Based on Context Speed Limit / Design Speed Number of Lanes / Turn Lanes / Corner Radii Lane Width Parking Sidewalks / Sod Space / Trees Street Lighting
Multiple Users What do they want? Complementary and Competing Stakeholder Perspectives Motorists Pedestrians Bicyclists Transit Drivers and Riders Elderly and Physically Impaired Adjacent Land Users
Planning and Design Process A. Determine Location and Gather Information Existing conditions survey: Traffic flow and volume data Crash Data Geometry: alignment, curves, radii Use: driveways, parking, lane use Topography
Planning and Design Process Review of previous plans: City and Neighborhood Plans Regional Plans Meetings to understand issues and develop Purpose and Need: Determine Stakeholder Group City Agencies, Public, City Council
Planning and Process B. Develop Conceptual Alternatives Development of Alternatives: No build - keep curb lines, streetscape Minor modifications - changes to the curbs with bump outs and radii at intersections Major modifications significant changes to street, additional right-of-way needed
Planning and Process Public Meetings to present alternatives for review and prioritization: Stakeholder Group City Agencies, Public, City Planning Commission, City Council Select feasible alternatives
Planning and Process C. Develop Feasible Alternatives Analysis and Design of Alternatives: Geometric changes Traffic analysis Comparison matrix of issues access, potential redevelopment, pedestrian safety, bikes, trucks/buses, parking, community space, cost
Planning and Process Review of Alternatives: Review alternative data and issues Modify as needed Phasing Options Potential funding strategies
Planning and Process Public Meetings Present options for review and to choose preferred design Stakeholder Group Public, Agencies, City Planning Commission, City Council Select preferred alternative
Planning and Process D. Develop Final Plans Design and Prepare Construction Documents Review Funding Options Public Meetings Present interim and final plans, phasing and funding options
Complete Streets Summary Every project is different. There are many solutions for every problem. Some problems aren t problems. but you can never please all of the people all of the time. Abraham Lincoln
Partnering to Build a Better Community: Taft / McMillian Two-Way Street Conversion
Vicinity Map University Area
Walnut Hills Neighborhood - History Taft and McMillan converted to one-way in the 1970s with the construction of I-71 Traffic speeds through the neighborhood on the way to jobs in the Uptown area Local merchants go out of business The neighborhood sees a general decline in all areas - residential and business
Tale of a Successful Partnership A need identified by community Local agency provides consultant services Community is involved every step of the way Time and budget constraints handled cooperatively Win-Win-Win
A Community on the Brink A 2002 Study did not recommend a change to the street network without redevelopment Carry 2002 Study Through Next Steps Update Traffic Data Detailed Study of Alternatives Receive Community Input Identify Preferred Alternative
Scope of Services Data Collection Traffic Counts Street Inventory Analysis Meetings Client Review Stakeholder Group / Public Input Recommend an Alternative Project Report Follow-up Project with Design and Funding
Study Area May Street to Victory Parkway
Existing Street Width
Began With 2002 Report Options Alternative 1 Do Nothing Option Maintains Current One-Way Operation Alternative 3 Preferential Flow on Taft / McMillan Alternative 5 Preferential Flow on McMillan Only
Preferential Two-Way Traffic TAFT 2 LANES 1 LANE McMILLAN 1 LANE 2 LANES
Meetings Held Community Council (Kickoff May 2011) Business Development Group (July) SORTA (August) Walnut Hills Stakeholder Group (Sept) Participated In Uptown Meetings (Nov) City Council Transportation Sub- Committee (Nov) SORTA (February 2012) Walnut Hills Stakeholder Group (March)
Developed New Options Various Combinations of On-Street Amenities: Left turn lanes On-street parking Bike lanes
Input Exercise We have 40 feet of pavement What types of on-street amenities are you interested in having? Bike Lanes On-Street Parking Both Bike and Parking Lanes Left Turn Lanes Wider Travel Lanes
Local Issues Priorities Business development & revitalization Full circulation around blocks Potential developers only interested in two-way operation
Local Issues Sacrifices Left turn lanes Left turn signal phases Bike lanes Some street parking Safety
Two-Way TAFT/McMILLAN Options Evaluated Alternate A Do Nothing Maintain Current One-Way Pair Alternate B3 Remove Parking Restrictions Maintain One-Way Alternate E1 Preferential Flow with Bike Lanes & No Parking Alternate B1 One-way with Permanent Parking & Bike Lanes Alternate C Preferential Flow with Alternating Left Turn Lanes Alternate E2 Preferential Flow with Right Side Parking Alternate B2 One-way with Permanent Parking & Cycle Track Alternate D Preferential Flow with Continuous Left Turn Lanes Alternate F Preferential Flow with Left Side Parking
INSERT PLAN VIEW AERIAL OF ALT F
Implementation Design: Signal Equipment Signal Timing and Progression Pavement Marking and Signing End conditions Consider any private impacts (driveways, signing)
Implementation Coordination Public Services Police and Fire SORTA Implementation Sequence of Work Maintenance of Traffic Coordination of Turn Over Public Awareness/Information Press releases
Operation Converted to two-way in October 2012 Added northbound left turns on Victory Parkway and on Gilbert in June 2013 Allowed some on-street parking in off-peak on McMillan for a two block area in April 2014 Considering conversion of Taft and McMillan to two-way in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood from Victory Parkway to Woodburn
Credits Paul Slone and Vanessa Fritsch of URS Questions?